Likins objects to class description warnings
UA President Peter Likins yesterday told the Faculty Senate that he is opposed to adding an "objectionable content" warning in the university's course description catalog.
"I'm a little uneasy about trying to anticipate what might be problematic for some students," Likins said.
Prolonging the recent debate on controversial classes and academic freedom, Likins responded to interim Provost Michael Gottfredson's suggestion that faculty consider changing the current policy on course descriptions.
Gottfredson wrote to the University of Arizona's Undergraduate Council Friday requesting further evaluation of the current policy after the mother of a UA student complained that an English course discussed lesbian issues.
Gottfredson stated in a letter that he is "not recommending a particular policy," but asking the "appropriate faculty group" to investigate the issue.
Likins said the UA should not warn against controversial topics, but sufficiently describe course material so students are aware of what the syllabus includes.
The debate began when UA junior Amanda Sahli's mother wrote a letter to a Phoenix newspaper complaining about the lesbian topics in her daughter's class.
The letter reached Arizona state Sen. David Petersen, who then initiated legislation that would force university course descriptions to be more specific.
The proposal was later withdrawn after UA officials promised to review the course content policy.
Arizona Board of Regents President Judy Gignac also addressed the issue at the meeting yesterday, warning the Faculty Senate to use careful judgment.
She said academic freedom brings the need to use common sense. When a course has controversial subject matter, it is important to "understand the potential repercussions" for the university. She also added that the course description should be "up front and accurate."
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